Lonza's David Doles Steps Forward to Chair SOCMA's Board of Governors

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) announced today that David Doles, a Senior Vice President at Lonza, has been elected Chairman of the association's Board of Governors. Doles replaces former Chairman Charles "Chuck" Bennett of Dixie Chemical, who announced his retirement from the board earlier this month.

Doles joined Lonza in 1997 and now heads the Materials Performance and Protection Global Business Unit. He has also served in various roles as part of the SOCMA Board of Governors and Executive Committee.

"I am honored to serve as Chairman of the SOCMA Board of Governors, and I look forward to continuing the work that has already been done to position SOCMA for the future as the leading trade association representing the specialty chemical industry," Doles said. "I would like to start by commending my predecessor, Chuck Bennett, for his outstanding leadership as Chairman of the Board. At SOCMA we strive to offer a slate of programs and services that provide our specialty chemical manufacturers with the intelligence and connections they need to compete in a global market, as well as navigate legislative and regulatory issues impacting their companies. I believe we have many opportunities to build partnerships and grow our membership as we improve upon and enhance these efforts moving forward."

With Doles taking the helm as Chairman of the Board, several members are moving up in the ranks to serve in new leadership roles. The new slate of officers includes:

• 1^st Vice Chair – Gene Williams, Optima Chemical Group, LLC
• 2^nd Vice Chair and Treasurer – Michael Ott – Polysciences, Inc.
• Secretary – Kate Donahue – Hampford Research, Inc.
• Immediate Past Chair – J. Steel Hutchinson, GFS Chemicals, Inc.
• Member-at-Large – John Foley – KMCO, LLC

SOCMA's Board of Governors provides strategic direction, maintains fiscal responsibility and helps to deliver member value.

About SOCMA
Since 1921 SOCMA has represented a diverse membership of chemical companies located around the world bringing world-class support uniquely tailored to enhance the operational excellence of our member companies. SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated solely to the specialty chemical industry, making us the leading authority on this sector. To learn more, visit www.socma.com.

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SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates